Founded to confront a large-scale mining project threatening communities and environment in the Intag Valley, DECOIN promotes conservation measures and alternative livelihoods to advance the conservation of the area’s Andean biodiversity. Over the past 22 years, the organization has created community-based forest reserves to protect watersheds in 38 communities, totaling 12,000 hectares. Sustainable agricultural activities such as small holder organic coffee production, aquaculture, poultry farming, and egg production, as well as eco-tourism ventures, provide additional income to struggling families and viable alternatives to mining, which remains a strong pressure in the area.

Key Facts 

Equator Prize Winner: 2017

Founded: 1995

Location: Cotacachi, Imbabura, Ecuador

Biodiversity: Forests, Mountains, Rivers, Wildlife

Case Study

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